Television digest with electronics reports (Jan-Dec 1955)

4 on the air (approximately 60 so far this year) have also been accompanied generally by increases in rates of existing stations, both local and network, as illustrated by a comparison of the network lineups now with those at start of this year. In compiling data for our semi-annual TV Factbook. Spring-Summer edition of which is due off the presses in early Feb., we're struck by the fact that the new network rate cards (which will be published in detail, along with executive personnel listings) and the new station rate cards (which are all digested) show quite a few changes in affiliations and a constant flux upwards. Consider the networks' year: There was demise of DuMont Network at midyear, leaving 3 national networks in the field. There was the upsurge of ABC-TV from a weak third runner to a fast comer, though it's still a far third to CBS-TV & NBC-TV. Then there's the competition among all of them for exclusive station affiliations, to say nothing of the intense rivalry for business leadership and top ratings — CBS-TV maintaining top place. Here's numerical gist of what has happened among networks in last 3 months: (1) CBS-TV starts the new year with 158 affiliates, of which 51 are "basic required, " i.e., must be bought as a package or not at all; one-time rate for these basics is $63,800 for an hour. Year ago the basic group comprised 56 stations and could be bought for $54,975. Among the CBS basics, there were a dozen changes during the year — additions, deletions, switches. As of now, CBS-TV has 49 "basic optionals" (total cost per hour; $19,150) as against 44 last year ($19,300) ; in addition, it has 51 supplementary connected and 7 noninterconnected affiliates as against 59 & 11 year ago. To buy today's entire CBS-TV lineup of 158 stations would cost an advertiser $97,730 now as against 170 for $90,005 a year ago. (2) NBC-TV has 193 affiliates today, of which 55 are basics costing $68,375 an hour. Year ago there were 52 basics, costing $62,075. NBC-TV lists 108 more as "interconnected", costing $36,000 as against 106 in the same category year ago costing $34,650. In addition, it has 30 non-interconnected affiliates vs. 33 year ago. To buy the entire NBC-TV lineup of 193 stations would cost advertiser $109,050 as compared with 191 stations at $102,055 year ago. There were only 7 changes among its basic affiliations this year, most notably the addition of some uhf outlets. (3) ABC-TV rate card simply lists 195 connected stations (at $99,205), 13 non-connected ($1750) — total costing $100,955. Year ago there were 158 connected (at $86,325), 55 non-connected ($10,580) — entire 213 costing $96,905. Thus 37 were added to connected list during year. But ABC-TV affiliates in many instances also have primary tieups with CBS-TV and/or NBC-TV, due to fact no second or third outlet is available in some cities — and time clearances are still its biggest headache. Note ; All 3 networks have a liberal sprinkling of uhf affiliates — their reply to outcry that Madison Ave. is talking down uhf. But fact is CBS-TV has only one uhf on its basic (its own WXIX, Milwaukee) and 11 on its basic optional list. NBC-TV has 5 uhf basic (2 of which it's buying) and 11 uhf interconnected. Ohio Education Assn., i-epresenting 45,000 teachers and school administrators, debunks notion that educators have only scallions for commercial sponsors, gives awards to 7 sponsors for “outstanding contributions to education” after hearing its awards chairman Betty Stautzenberger declare: “Sponsors are the forgotten men of TV-radio awards. We are quick to single out the sponsor for criticism when he is associated with an inferior program, but when everything goes smoothly — even unusually well — we merely tolerate him.” Awards went to Camels & Plymouth for John Cameron Swayze’s News Caravan (NBC-TV) ; Pan-American Airways & Johns-Manville for Meet the Press (NBC-TV) ; American Chicle & Mutual of Omaha for Zoo Parade (NBC-TV) ; Ohio Bell Telephone for Ohio Story (local radio). FCC’s network study committee appointed another consultant this week — Edward R. Eadeh, 1952-55 DuMont network research director. He previously held coverage and market analysis positions with ABC, MBS & CBS. (For other appointments to FCC group, see Vol. 11 :50-51.) Page, Creutz, Garrison & Waldschmitt, Washington engineering firm, has formed new operating company for domestic broadcast and communications work — Page, Creutz, Steel & Waldschmitt Inc. Officers: Esterly C. Page, pres.; John Creutz, exec, v.p.; David L. Steel Sr., v.p.-treas. ; Joseph A. Waldschmitt, v.p. Other subsidiaries: Page Communications Engineers Inc., handling govt, and foreign business; Rixon Electronics Inc., research & development. Organization has added west coast office at 303 White-Henry-Stuart Bldg., Seattle (phone Mutual 3280) . “Candelabra” antenna, giving Dallas’ WFAA-TV & KRLD-TV co-equal height on 1521-ft. tower (Vol. 11:30), was placed in operation Dec. 23. Stations claim coverage of 42 counties, 2,272,600 people, 552,740 sets. Tallest structure between Tampa and Atlanta is claim for new 995-ft. tower, with 6-bay GE superturnstile, to be erected March 1 for WMBR-TV, Jacksonville, by Tower Construction Co., Lodi, N. J.